Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

May 19, 2010

E-Z Rental and Sales of Clarkson has opened a location in Pataha, anticipating future needs in this area including wind energy projects, courthouse construction and high school renovation. Owner Doug Wilson estimates 50% of its business will be through contractors, 25% homeowners, and 25% small businesses.

A review by the Department of Health shows Garfield County Memorial Hospital “although antiquated, is safe and relatively good repair.” Because the small hospital provides basic diagnostic, emergency and minor acute and outpatient services, there does not appear to be a need for the facility to have the more complex electrical systems of larger hospitals.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 24, 1995

Over three decades of performing weddings, officiating at funerals and conducting Sunday Services will come to a close at the end of this month when the Rev. Howard Neal and his wife, Betty, retire from First Christian Church.

Seventy-four riders headed south on Hwy. 128 (the 3K) and continued fifteen miles on Mountain Road to the boundary of the Umatilla National Forest before turning around and coming back down the hill. Overall winner, Kirk Willet of Pullman, finished the 30-mile round trip in 1 hour and 26 minutes.

Fifty Years Ago

May 21, 1970

A six-man news and camera crew from NBC television were on the Snake river from Lower Granite dam site to Clarkston this week preparing a half-hour documentary on the court fight of the Tri-State Steelheaders to halt construction on the dam.

Acts of theft and vandalism reported to the Garfield County sheriff’s office included cutting the fence around the State Highway yard and stealing 17 gallons of gas from a truck; theft of a stove, bedstead and other items from the cabin at the foot of Blind Grade; a ½ hp. pressure pump with tank and switches and small bicycle missing from the old Burns place on Willow gulch; and lights on the new Central Ferry bridge that had been covered with sacks to prevent them from being painted, had oil poured on them and set on fire, which burned out the wiring and put all lights on the downstream side out of order.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

May 24, 1945

Private Elgin LeGore, 18, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. LeGore and Ed Requa, all of Pomeroy, was killed in action somewhere in Germany.

Good news came to Pomeroy this week with the news of the liberation of Captain Eugene Waldher and Lt. Jack Henley from German prison camps.

35 boys and girls will receive their diplomas at the high commencement tomorrow evening.

One Hundred Years Ago

May 22, 1920

Decoration Day this year falls on Sunday, but will be observed on Monday, May 31, with speaking at the Seeley theatre and other exercises appropriate to the occasion announced the American Legion.

Magpie Day is announced by the local game association for next Sunday, when a hunt for this elusive bird as specialty will be made. All local sportsmen are urged to get out and see what can be done in the way of destroying these pests and incidentally boost the local count in the contest against the Dayton team.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 18, 1895

C.P. Allen retuned from the Pullman Agricultural college last week after taking a 3 month’s course.

All traveling men and visitors tell the same story: that Pomeroy is the liveliest and most stirring town of its size in the state.

John Pohl, who lives about four miles south of Pomeroy, had the misfortune to lose his stable, harness, hay and grain, etc., a few days ago, by fire. The little boy with the matches did the work. Mr. Pohl is a poor man and the loss is quite a serious matter to him.

E. Burlingame will cross the river at the mouth of the Alpowa with another large band of cattle on the 26th of this month. Tom makes this announcement for the benefit of anyone who may be looking for “slick ears.”

The Grand Army post gives notice in this issue of their intention to observe Decoration Day. All old soldiers are requested to take part. The officers, churches and schools and the citizens generally are invited to attend and help make this memorial service sublime and impressive.

“Vic” Eliot has been considerably under the weather for the past few days. Eczema (whatever that is) seized him for a victim and manifested itself in the form of a huge sore, or series of sores, about the forehead, nose and cheeks, and in an aggravated form of sore eyes. We hope “Vic” may speedily recover for perhaps no one thing could more seriously embarrass a printer’s devil than a permanent damage to his cheek.